The Church Grows Up

Part 2 of a 4-part series

As the church enters the 4^th Century several key historical events take place:

1. The Edict of Milan (AD 313) was a proclamation that declared Christianity legal in the Roman Empire and slowed the murderous persecutions against Christians.
2. This opened the door for “religious tolerance” of Christianity in the Roman Empire and paved the way for a blending of power between the sacred (religious influence) and the secular (political influence). The result was corruption and compromise which unfortunately also infiltrated the church, which will bring on the need for reform (that will be the topic of our next lesson).
3. Due to the continual battle against heretical teachings (primarily Arianism), many key church leaders (I call them Champions of Truth) in the church began meeting in large gatherings called “councils” in which they debated the essential doctrines of the Christian faith that remain the “orthodox” position of Christianity to this day.
4. The results of these “councils” were the formation of “creeds” or doctrinal positions that were taught and passed on by the Apostles and early first century church leaders – which were the same teaching that Jesus Christ taught them.
5. Since the heretical teachings of Arius attacked the very Nature of Christ and attempted to lessen the Deity of Christ; these councils made it clear that their position was that Jesus Christ was not a created being, that He is God in human flesh.
6. Another key doctrine that was decided upon by those at the Council of Nicaea was the Trinity. They affirmed the truth that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were One and they were co-equal and co-eternal.
7. Another key event that took place was the decision to accept the 27 Books of the New Testament as the whole/entirety of the New Testament canon. This occurred at the Council of Carthage in AD 397.

While all of these historical events are taking place, the great commission (spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ) remained the mission of the church. Several key leaders in the church saw to it that the message of the gospel remained the main purpose of the church without compromise. Others used the newfound power (political and religious) to seek their own personal gain through compromise and corrupt practices. The unfortunate result of this compromise will bring about persecution by the “church” against those who sought to expose their corruption. This will lead to the need for reform and change and God will direct those future “Champions of Truth” through Reformation and Revival to ensure that His Church will continue, and the “Gates of Hell” will be unable to prevail against it. Stay tuned for those next two lessons….